Staff / Katherine Frye
The cooking demo at Piedmont Henry Hospital will allow cancer patients to learn about creating healthy food alternatives using basic household items and utensils, such as this blender used by the program coordinator, Tavari Taylor.

The cooking demonstration, which will be at the hospital’s education center, is titled “Eat Smart, Feel Better,” and is geared towards helping cancer patients, survivors and caregivers live a healthier life with and after cancer.

Cancer Wellness dietician Taryn Tennyson and Chef Beci Falkenberg will offer tips on how to create healthy, flavorful, stress-free meals at no cost to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.

Those interested are encouraged to register online at www.piedmonthenry.org/ classes or call (678) 604-1040.

Other Piedmont campuses, such as Piedmont Fayette Hospital, have had cooking demonstrations like this one before, but it only came to Henry this year due to funding.

Tavari Taylor, professional counselor with cancer wellness, is based out of Piedmont Fayette, although she has been working rather closely with the new program for Piedmont Henry.

She said despite the hospital offering free programs and services, they come at a cost for the hospital.

“It costs money,” she said. “Through community support in Fayetteville, we were able to open the Cancer Center in Fayetteville in 2010.”

Piedmont Henry, however, does not have such a facility as of yet.

The cooking demo to be held at Piedmont Henry will be one on a smaller scale and will be able to accommodate roughly 20 people.

“We call it Cancer Wellness in the clouds,” said Taylor. “[Piedmont Henry] is a satellite location for cancer wellness locations until we are able to build out a center of its own.”

The goal, however remains to provide the crucial support to those persons, families and friends affected by cancer.

That, in itself, said Taylor, is the core root of the cooking demonstrations, along with the services the cancer wellness department offers, such as support groups.

“We know how powerful it is to have programs available to cancer patients,” said Taylor. “[A cancer diagnosis] can be very devastating. [Our services and programs] give us the opportunity to have contact with that patient and offer them coping skills to adjust to diagnosis.”

Those coping skills are what, along with the medical aspect that an oncologist provides, contributes to well-rounded care.

“We are providing all the complimentary services to the medical component,” said Taylor. “It is important that Henry residents get those as well and don’t have to leave their community to get them.”

Piedmont Henry Hospital will also offer individual consultation with a dietician.

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